New Nursery In Leeds With A Commitment To Learning Difficulties
A new nursery in Leeds will be the first of its kind specifically for children with and without learning difficulties.
Leeds Mencap has confirmed that it will be proceeding with a £2.5 million project in the East End Park area of Leeds.
The investment will transform the former site of Mount St Mary’s Primary School on Raincliffe Road, which is currently a disused plot of land.
The site will become home to an inclusive new centre, creating space for people with learning disabilities from the whole of Leeds, for local community groups and a new nursery. By meeting a range of needs, it is expected that this new centre will benefit more than 2,000 Leeds residents every year. It’s hoped the new nursery will help get rid of the stigma associated with learning difficulties and bridge a much needed gap in the area for nursery school places. Cath Lee is the Chief Executive of Mencap Leeds:
‘Children playing with a child with a learning disability will learn, in the same way as a child with a learning disability will learn from the child without. Children just play, they don’t recognise those differences in the same way that adults do. So I think for the children, it can only be a positive experience.’
This announcement comes as part of Leeds Mencap’s Space for me campaign, which began in June to raise the final funds needed. Now the charity is launching a Buy a Brick scheme to source the remaining £500,000 needed for this project.
The launch coincides with a community event on Saturday 12th September 12-2pm to celebrate the purchase of the land for the new centre. It’ll be a chance to meet the builders, see the plans, and to find out more about the organisations that will be sharing the centre. Meanwhile, Hyde Park Source will be consulting with the public about the landscaping around the centre. A ceremonial ribbon cutting will take place just after 12 noon by Her Majesty the Queen’s representative, Major Stan Hardy.
Bernie Gahan, Project Manager at Leeds Mencap, said: “this area hasn’t been exposed to high levels of investment or regeneration in recent times, so we’re delighted to confirm that we’re going ahead with this transformational project. The building will offer new opportunities both to local residents and people across the City and will be of great benefit.”
The new centre will be built by Integra Buildings Ltd, who specialise in modular buildings, which they manufacture at their East Yorkshire base. The work on the site is scheduled to begin at the start of October.
Gary Parker, Managing Director at Integra Buildings, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in the Tender selection process by Leeds Mencap. Our bid was found to be successful due to affordability, product specification and our award winning project management service. It has and continues to be an honour working with Leeds Mencap and supported services on this project”.